Master Bed/Bath Collages

Thought you'd like to see what I'm working on this month for a client in North Dallas. 

They both work really hard and wanted a retreat.  They requested that we keep the existing paint color on the wall and also use some of the art they have.  I've worked around that plan and look forward to seeing it all put together.  I'll post the reveal in November after we do the install.

Incorporated lots of different textures and shiny elements.

Don't you love the pebble bath mat!

Happy Decorating!

Velvet and Linen

I just discovered a new blog Velvet and Linen  and absolutely love her style.  Brooke Giannetti is a interior designer who works with her architect husband Steve. 

She just posted on her blog that they are being considered for a Reader's Choice Award.  One of their client's bedroom made it to the top 12 of the All the Best Bedroom Contest. 

Love the chandelier in the above picture!  Makes the room have a warmth about it.  When using cool colors, warm lighting can soften the room and that is what the chandelier and lamps do for this room.  The ambiance is created with correct lighting.  Even with the chandelier off, the mood lighting would be fantastic.  You know that "mood" is important in the master bedroom.

Notice how the lamp bases, pillow and ottoman all coordinate.  Using 3 objects in a room that work together makes for a good design.

Here the bedding is very crisp and has such an inviting feel. The textures and the shapes on the fabrics make this whimsical and interesting.  Texture is the most sensory element in a bedroom.  Brooke has made every surface pleasing to the touch and the eye; she has chosen luxurious fabrics, furniture, and finishes.  This room is peaceful and still.

Every master bedroom needs a reading spot so you can put your feet up!

Imagine the conversations that will go on here?  Creating a spot for a couple to spend time together is awesome and if used will make their life rich!

Love the simplicity and beautiful window details above the door.  This room welcomes the daylight!

No clutter here!

There is a poll set up here  to determine a Reader's Choice Award. If you like to vote for their bedroom design, Steve and Brooke would really appreciate it. I've casted my vote and there room truly is the BEST.

Thanks for supporting one of my favorite blogger's.

Ruthie

Budding Artist

My brother- in-law Eric Staalsen is an amazing artist. He has always been able to do incredible artwork from abstract to traditional.  He's actually a pool designer now but when he can he paints and draws in his spare time.

Recently, his daughter Trinity had a school project and had to do some research about Electric Guitar's. After her research, she had to give a report in front of the class. Eric is no ordinary dad, he decided that they could both make each child a mini sample of a Les Gibson Paul guitar.

Trinity is becoming quite the artist too and drew some of these herself.

I love to see parents who encourage kids that have an artistic flair. It's especially cool when a dad takes an interest in his daughter.   The time he spent with her during this project is priceless.  She will always remember this and I'm sure the kids in her class will too!

This is another project Eric did at their church in the kids area.

AMAZING!

I love to see budding artists that are being encouraged by an experienced artist.  Can't wait to see what God has in store for you Trinity!

Blessings,

Ruth

Call The Walls

Congratulations to Larry and Laurie Wall for 10 years in business! 

The Wall Team is one of the top producing and expert real estate teams in the nation, specializing in home sales in Colleyville, Grapevine, Southlake, Westlake, Bedford, Euless, Hurst, Keller and North Richland Hills, of the DFW Metroplex. They pride themselves on being the "neighborhood experts" for these areas.  They are!

Last night I stopped by their party to celebrate their 10 year anniversary in business and their beautiful new office in Colleyville.  What an amazing couple they are!  I met Larry and Laurie about 8 years ago.  I received their newsletter in the mail and could almost hear their voices as I read what they were all about.  So refreshing to see that a realtor team actually wanted to be a part of the community by their involvement as well as their committment to their clients.  They did this not because they had to but because they really do care about who is in their life.

If you are looking to sell your home or purchase one and need a realtor team that will be dedicated to you, listen to your needs and find you the perfect house, Call The Walls.  I know from experience that they are AMAZING.  The Wall Team sold us our previous home and the one we are in now.  We are so happy in this home!. 

In this economy you need the best of the best working for you.  Call The Walls you won't regret it.

Somebody rescue me!

Can I pass this up?????  First a "neighborhood" garage sale that I barely resisted and now a "CITY wide" garage sale. 

HELP!

Over 2,000 shoppers and more than 50 vendors will take part in Grapevine's city-wide garage sale at the Community Activities Center, 1175 Municipal Way on Saturday, September 26 from 7am - 11am.

Garage Sale Finds

I set out to go "grocery shopping" yesterday and got distracted by all the garage sale signs.  I knew I had hours of shopping to do and didn't want to do it.   It's so much more fun when you think "maybe" I'll find something fun or unique.  I followed the sign and then.... oh no....a neighborhood garage sale.  I could feel my pulse rate change as I saw all the balloons on the mailboxes.  How was I going to fit this in my day? 

I had self discipline and only went to 6.  It helped that I found a few treasures.  I also bumped into a few friends so I was able to socialize too!

I found this unique wooden shovel.  Thought it would be great for my fall decor and it was $5.00.  While I was at the grocery store I bought a few white pumpkins.  Not sure how I'm going to use either of them yet but thought they looked amazing together.

Also found these medallions (.50 each) Great for a bookshelf.

This wonderful round wooden medallion was a perfect find for $3.00.  I had my husband hang it on my island immediately.  Thanks honey!  It adds some interest and character and is the first thing you see as you walk into the kitchen from the formal dining room.  I love small detail that makes a big impact.  After I painted the island, I knew that it needed something and knew I'd come across it someday. 

A while back I found this fabulous pillow at a garage sale with the price tag still on it $125.  It's also "down filled" and that's the only way I'll go with deocrative pillows.  I had it in on my guest room bed for a while and then decided it looked fabulous on this chair which was in my guest room.

I moved the chair downstairs so I could enjoy it more than my guests and placed the pillow on it.  I LOVE MY ENTRY EVEN MORE NOW.

The colors go so well with my textured

stairway wall.

Yeah I know, one small pillow from a garage sale and I move everything around.  I also just realized how beautifully the pillow goes with the medallion that I put on my island.  Bringing in elements that are consistent from room to room is great design.  I love it when it works out that way and I didn't even plan it.

I placed the ottoman under my desk in my office.

My desk is my old dining room table and I love it!

It's good to have a foot rest now.

Change things up a little, it costs pennies and you'll have fun.  Move items from room to room to give it a "new" look.  When new seasons come around  I love to change things up.  My husband doesn't mind if it doesn't cost him a fortune each time.

On another note....while I was at the grocery store I ordered myself a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.  I got distracted and started looking at the bread selections, coffee, bakery items, etc.  Filled my cart full of all the delicious spaghetti and appetizer items I planned on cooking for my 15 family members coming for dinner that night.  Loaded up my car as I was reminded of the awesome finds that I'd found that morning.  Started my car, pulled out and remembered....I didn't even pick up my latte!!

I may have forgotten about the latte I ordered but it shows that I love what I do, it's always on my mind.  It's in my blood and that's what makes life and my job so much fun!

Grab a latte and have a happy rest of the weekend!

Fall is finally here

The crisp air is here and it feels amazing!

Found this picture of an arrangement I did one year for my annual fall brunch.

Thought it would get you inspired to get out your fall decor.

Remember not to overdo it.  Make it clean and classy - less is  more!

I'll post some pictures of my decor once I get it out.  I've set a date for my fall brunch.  It always get me motivated and excited about filling my home with great friends, good food and a roaring fire.
Great way to start the season!

Here are a few arrangements that I thought were beautiful.  Captured photo's so you could see.  Even if you just add one arrangement to your entry, master bedroom, guest bathroom that is wonderful.  It doesn't have to be over the top.  In fact, I like it when fall decor isn't a bunch of little stuff.  Challenge yourself to put one fall item in each room.  Again, large in scale or something that really makes a statement like your mantel or coffee table.

When choosing your arrangements, thing about colors that can carry you through the fall and Christmas season.  To make it work for all seasons just place pumpkins, leaves, gourds, etc. around it so it makes it feel like that season.  When it's Christmas, take away the fall decor around it and add Christmas ornaments.

Love, love the colors of this arrangement.  Also the placement of the elements are gorgeous.

My kitchen buffet last year.  To the right was a large bowl filled with dry pinto beans and then pumpkins were placed on top.  Made all the colors work together.

Add a few burnt orange fall leaves to this glass vase along with what's already there and you've got something beautiful.  Place a few outside the glass too. 

Do the unexpected this year.  You'll have fun with it!


Ruth

Double R Ranch

I have relatives visiting from England right now and they are wanting to get a true "American Experience" while they are here.  Of course, we are going to give them a true Texas experience too.

My cousin and his girlfriend requested that we ride Harley Davidson bikes for the day.   My cousin's girlfriend also loves horses and rides a lot in England.  She wanted to get a feel for a "Western horse ride" vs. an "English horse ride". 

Rent A Harley (972) 785-2201

1010 Walton Walker Blvd N, Irving, TX 75061

So..... we rented bikes for the day and headed to Weatherford.  My dad had some friends (true Harley Rider's) that led the pack.  One of his friends has a sister that ows a ranch so we were in for a treat.  We had no idea that this was going to be more than just a treat, it was a gift - a memory that we'll never forget.

We had an awesome drive through the country (some pictures are blury, you know why...)  I tried to take pictures as I hung off the back.  It was a little crazy and I didn't capture all that I wanted.  My husband is not one to go slowly so I can take pictures.  Ha...

Typical Texas Red Barn.

Great Ranch Style home with lots of property - horses were grazing as we passed.

Loved the look of this house.

We pulled up to "Double R Ranch"  What a gorgeous setting.  We drove up a long driveway to get to the entrance and I thought to myself "this is perfect, it's exactly how you imagine Texas to be."  I was so excited that my cousin and aunt and uncle got to experience this trip.  Yee Haw!

Here are a few snapshots of the Ranch during the couple hours we spent there.

View of house from inside the horse arena

Inviting ranch style porch - Great for ice tea sippin' and serves as a perfect outdoor gathering spot for great conversations.

View from front porch of indoor riding arena.

Majestically scaled rocking chair hand made in Weatherford, TX.  I may be going back for some of these.

Guest House - view standing on front porch.  This house is being transformed/updated right now and will be filled with some of the families collected antiques.

Loved the large terra cotta pots brimming with beautiful flowers and plants.

Inside the main house - country charm!  Tattered pieces of history create an inviting sitting room for family daily reading and chillin'.  Love the soothing neutral's and variety of textures that this room holds. The more outdoor elements you can bring into a home, the more relaxed it feels.

Incredible beamed ceilings throughout the house and stonework adds so much charm.

Great accessories - just like I like them, larger scale items so there isn't too much clutter.

Simplicity, carried to an extreme, becomes elegance - Jon Franlin

Gorgeous lamp - I wanted to take it home!  Especially love the base.

Old wagon wheel table - showcasing belt buckles the family has collected over the years.  Now that is personalizing a home.

Perfect "country" kitchen.  Love the leather and wood bar stools.  The open backs serve well at this bar because it keeps it open and airy.  Sold wood would have made this kitchen appear smaller creating a closed in feel.

Custom made chairs with the ranch name branding.

This breakfast room begs for close friends to gather around to share interests.  The table brims with culture and charm.  An old distressed door made into a table that is now focal point of this room.  The chandelier certainly gives this room added pizzazz.  So rustic yet elegant.  Of course, what ranch doesn't have a few cats and dogs.

Love these columns which divide the breakfast from the family room.  Stunningly gorgeous.  All the interior doors in the home were made with this same wood.

Their master bedroom was HUGE.   We should always lavish extraordinary attention to our beds.  This rustic elegance is so inviting and relaxed.  Nothing pretentious about it.  You should see the view of the pasture from their window - so calming and still.

This red bench is adorable on the front porch.

Whimsical bench - love the old bell that is placed on it as well as the rustic finish that it has.  Little vignettes like this were placed all over the front and back porches.

Antique wagons and tractors were placed throughout the property.

They add so much visual interest and character.

The barn.  It was immaculate, I mean immaculate.

Thought this was a great picture of my family, especially since you can see the horse shoe's from the gate.

Rachel was elated that she got to experience the Texas horse life.

The inside arena is huge.

'

See what I mean, HUGE.  Beautifully manicured too.  The owner of the ranch gave her a lesson and she got to ride the horse for a nice long while.

She was smiling from ear to ear.

Rachel said our saddles are giant.  Of course, everything in Texas is Giant.

The Harley's waited patiently for us.

The owners of the ranch were delightful and were so awesome to show us around and give my family such an incredible Texas experience.  That's southern hospitality for you.

We stopped on the way home at a Barbecue Pit and had some chicken fried steak, brisket and ribs.  Again, they couldn't believe how HUGE the servings were.  A bit rediculous really.

Perfect weather, perfect ride, perfect Texas memory.

Thanks Harley Davidson for a great ride.

We'll be doing this again that's for sure! Any other cousins, relatives want to visit us so we can show you around!

Ya'll come back now ya here!

Ruth